Chrysanthemum plant named ‘CIFZ0061’

ABSTRACT

A new garden type Chrysanthemum plant named ‘CIFZ0061’ particularly distinguished by the medium to large size plant with very round plant habit, a medium sized red-bronze decorative flower color and a natural season response mid to late September.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Chrysanthemum x morifolium.

Varietal denomination: ‘CIFZ0061’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new Chrysanthemum, botanically known as Chrysanthemum x morifolium, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘CIFZ0061’.

‘CIFZ0061’ is a product of a planned breeding program. The new cultivar has medium to large size plant with very round plant habit, a medium sized red-bronze decorative flower color and a natural season response mid to late September

‘CIFZ0061’ originated from a mutation: Stock x-rayed at 1750 RAD in October of 2013. Single cutting sport from the stock.

The female parent was ‘Beverly Bronze’, (‘CIFZ0032’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,319). When compared to the female parent, ‘CIFZ0061’ has:

-   -   1) Similar flower type with smaller size and darker overall         color that is more red-bronze/less orange-bronze than the sport         parent and less two-tone coloration     -   2) Blackcloth and natural season response is one or two days         faster than sport parent     -   3) Similar plant habit and overal plant size than the sport         parent

No male parent.

The first act of asexual reproduction of ‘CIFZ0061’ was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were propagated from the initial selection, this initial selection took place on Apr. 16, 2014 in Gilroy, Calif.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Horticultural examination of plants grown from cuttings of the plant initiated in May 2014 in Gilroy, Calif., and continuing thereafter, has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘CIFZ0061’ are firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

‘CIFZ0061’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length.

A Plant Breeder's Right for this cultivar has not been applied for. ‘CIFZ0061’ has not been made publicly available prior to the effective filing date of this application, notwithstanding any disclosure that may have been made less than one year prior to the effective filing date of this application by the inventor or another who obtained ‘CIFZ0061’ directly from the inventor.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of the new variety. The combination of these characteristics distinguishes this Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographic drawing shows typical flower and foliage characteristics of ‘CIFZ0061’ with colors being as true as possible with an illustration of this type. The photographic drawings show in FIG. 1 a close view of flower of the new variety and in FIG. 2 a flowering plant from an outdoor trial.

The aforementioned photographs: FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 were taken in August 2017 both showing a plant from the same blackcloth indoor trial in Gilroy, Calif. These plants were about 10 weeks of age. One rooted cutting per pot had been planted in a one gallon pot, not pinched in week 24, and black clothed from week 25. Plants started flowering in August.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The measurements were taken in Gilroy, Calif. in August 2017 on the plants from the aforementioned trial.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.) 2001.

TABLE 1 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE NEW VARIETY ‘CIFZ0061’ AND TWO MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES: ‘Empire Harmony’, U.S. Plant Pat. ‘CIFZ0061’ No. 11,830 Flowering response Similar Similar (blackcloth): Flowering response Similar Similar (natural): Flowering: More uniform Not very uniform Flower color: More red-bronze/less More two-tone coloration, orange-bronze color, less red/bronze/ less two tone coloration more orange bronze coloration Flower size: Similar Similar Plants, stems, Stronger plant, less Weaker plant, more flexibility: splitting after splitting after wind and rain wind and rain Plant habit or size: Similar Similar ‘Miora Orange’, U.S. Plant Pat. ‘CIFZ0061’ No. 28,155 Flowering response 6 days faster 6 days slower (natural): Colour fading: Less fading More fading Flower color: More red-bronze/less More two-tone ration, orange-bronze color, less less red/bronze/more two tone coloration orange bronze coloration Flower size: Smaller Bigger Plant habit or size: Bit wider plant habit Habit bit more upright

-   Plant:     -   -   Form, growth and habit.—Herbaceous garden-type, stems             upright and outwardly spreading, freely branching, strong             and moderately vigorous growth habit.         -   Plant height (above soil).—15-20 cm.         -   Plant height (inflorescence included).—16-21 cm.         -   Plant width.—35-39 cm. -   Roots:     -   -   Number of days to initiate roots.—About 4 days at about 22°             C.         -   Number of days to produce a rooted cutting.—14-16 days at             22° C.         -   Type.—Fine, fibrous, free branching.         -   Color.—RHS N155B but whiter. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Immature leaf, color upper surface.—RHS 137A.         -   Immature leaf, color lower surface.—RHS 137C.         -   Mature leaf, color, upper surface.—RHS 137A.         -   Mature leaf, color lower surface.—RHS 137C.         -   Length.—3.8-4.1 cm.         -   Width.—2.7-3.0 cm.         -   Shape.—Ovate, with distinct lobes.         -   Base shape.—Attenuate.         -   Apex shape.—Mucronate.         -   Margin.—5-lobed (palmate), edge dentate.         -   Texture, upper surface.—Bifid hairs.         -   Texture, lower surface.—Bifid hairs.         -   Color of veins, upper surface.—RHS 138B.         -   Color of veins, lower surface.—RHS 138B.         -   Pattern of veining.—Palmate.         -   Petiole color.—RHS 138A.         -   Petiole length.—1.1-1.7 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.1 cm.         -   Texture.—Covered with bifid hairs. -   Stem:     -   -   Quantity of main branches per plant.—6-8.         -   Color of stem.—RHS 138A.         -   Length of stem.—5.0-7.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.4 cm.         -   Length of internodes.—0.4-1.4 cm.         -   Texture.—Bifid hairs.         -   Color of peduncle.—RHS 138A.         -   Length of peduncle.—6.5-7.5 cm.         -   Peduncle diameter.—0.2 cm.         -   Texture.—Bifid hairs. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Type.—Compositae, solitary, decorative-type inflorescences             borne terminally above foliage, ligulate ray florets             arranged acropetally on a capitulum giving a double flower.         -   Quantity of short days to flowering (response             time).—Approximately 6 weeks.         -   Natural season flowering.—Mid to late September.         -   Quantity of inflorescences per plant.—80-100.         -   Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.—About six             weeks from first color.         -   Fragrance.—Slightly spicy. -   Bud (when showing color):     -   -   Color.—RHS 183A.         -   Length.—0.8-0.9 cm.         -   Width.—1.0-1.1 cm.         -   Shape.—Oblate. -   Immature inflorescence:     -   -   Diameter.—3.0 cm.         -   Color of ray florets, upper surface.—Between RHS 179B and             RHS 178C.         -   Color of ray florets, lower surface.—RHS 17A overlain with             RHS 2A. -   Mature inflorescence:     -   -   Diameter.—3.7-4.0 cm.         -   Depth: 1.5-1.7 cm.         -   Total diameter of disc.—Very small; not visible as covered             by the many rays.         -   Receptacle color.—RHS 144C.         -   Receptacle height.—0.4 cm.         -   Receptacle diameter.—0.4 cm. -   Ray florets:     -   -   Average quantity of florets.—280-320 in several whorls.         -   Color of florets, upper surface (abaxial).—Closest to RHS             181A with RHS 2A at base.         -   Color inner surface (adaxial).—RHS 181A, overlain with RHS             2A at base.         -   Length.—1.0-1.4 cm.         -   Width/diameter.—0.3 cm.         -   Shape.—Elliptical.         -   Apex shape.—Mostly obtuse and dentate.         -   Base shape.—Tube.         -   Margin.—Entire, small incisions may occur at tip.         -   Texture, upper surface.—Papillate.         -   Lower surface.—Papillate. -   Disc florets: None present. -   Phyllaries:     -   -   Quantity.—40-50.         -   Color, upper surface.—RHS 137A.         -   Color, lower surface.—RHS 137A.         -   Length.—0.6-0.7 cm.         -   Width.—0.1-0.15 cm.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex shape.—Acute.         -   Base.—Fused.         -   Margins.—Entire.         -   Texture, upper surface.—Glabrous.         -   Texture, lower surface.—Canescent. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Pistil.—One.         -   Length.—0.3-0.6 cm.         -   Style color.—RHS 1C.         -   Style length.—0.3 cm.         -   Stigma color.—RHS 7D.         -   Stigma shape.—Bi-parted.         -   Ovary color.—RHS 145B.         -   Ovary length.—0.15 cm.         -   Ovary width.—0.1 cm. -   Androecium:     -   -   Stamens.—None, as they are usually present in disc florets             only, which are not developed.         -   Fertility/seed set.—Has not been determined to date.         -   Disease/pest resistance.—Has not been determined to date. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘CIFZ0061’ substantially as illustrated and described herein. 